Classification

Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Family: Aeshnidae
Genus: Anax
Species: Anax junius
Common Name: Common Green Darner

The Latin scientific name Anax junius means "Lord of June." The origin of Anax junius "Lord of June" comes from the fact that the Common Green Darner is seen flying through the skies throughout the summer months (Redmond 2010). The origin of the common name "Common Green Darner" came about due to the abundance of this species and the green thorax it possesses (Redmond 2010). The family Aeshnidae are called "darners" due to the resemblance between their bodies and a darner needle.

Domain:
Anax junius is in the domain Eukarya due to having cells with membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria, and DNA concentrated in the nucleus.

Kingdom:
Kingdom Animalia is described as having organisms that are multicellular, heterotrophic, usually undergo sexual reproduction, mobile, possess nerve cells and contractile or muscle tissue (Nave 2000).

Phylum:
Phylum Arthropoda is characterized as having a segmented body, jointed legs, segmented appendages, an exoskeleton made out of chitin, triploblastic body, complete digestive system, sexes are usually separate, contain an open circulatory system, and bilateral symmetry. Phylum Arthropoda contains protostomes, which the embryos develop mouth-first.

Class:
Class Insecta is the most diverse groups of arthropods (Hickman et al. 2007). Insects have three pairs of legs and usually have two pairs of wings. Class Insecta is abundant on soils, plants, forests, and in freshwater. Some insects may occupy certain habitats in deserts, wastelands, or on top of mountains (Hickman et al. 2007). This wide variety of habitats is due to the ability to fly. All insects possess a head, thorax, and an abdomen. The head consists of a pair of compound eyes, typically three ocelli, and a pair of antennae.

Order:
Order Odonata consists of having large eyes and a long abdomen. Order Odonata are predaceous. They have massive mandibles for chewing while in flight (Hickman et al. 2007). Also, the Order Odonata possess a labium in the larval stage in order to grasp their prey and bring the prey to their mouth.

Family:
Family Aeshnidae are referred to as "darners" due to the resemblance between the body of the insect to a darner needle. The wings are transparent. Females contain a structure that is used for depositing eggs in aquatic vegetation, ovipositors. The Family Aeshnidae are also extremely strong fliers.

Genus:
Anax means lord, king, or chief. Genus Anax have apparent spines on their abdominal segments. They are abundant near still waters where they deposit their eggs. There are only 4 species of the genus Anax that are found in North America.

Species:
Species Anax junius has a green head and thorax. Colors of the body are different between females and males. Females have a thorax that is yellow or brown. The males have a thorax that is blue. Also, there is a distinct "bulls-eye" pattern on the forehead of the dragonfly.

Next explore the Habitat of Anax junius
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